Boston Public Library Wedding

Boston Public Library Wedding – Alexandra & Eric

Alexandra & Eric were married in the courtyard at the Boston Public Library on a lovely September evening. The McKim building at the Boston Public Library is the classiest library I have ever set foot in, and I’m a notorious book lover, so this wedding was kind of a dream. Murals by Puvis de Chavannes, Abbey, and Sargent adorn the library walls. The whole grand building and courtyard make quite the backdrop for a wedding.

Eric wore a striking black tuxedo with a succulent boutonniere, and Alexandra wore a gorgeous intricately beaded gown that brought to mind the glamour of the roaring twenties. This vibe is particularly strong in the portraits we made on the marble grand staircase, and with the Puvis de Chavannes murals. The two got ready across the street at the ever elegant Fairmont Copley.

In a pre-wedding consult I asked Alexandra and Eric if there were any details they were particularly excited about. Eric mentioned the cheese/cake and they both broke into laughter describing the tower of wheels of cheese decorated with flowers, herbs and champagne grapes. Let’s just say the cheese wedding cake did not disappoint in person.

The courtyard of the McKim building is transporting. It was easy to forget we were in the center of a busy Metropolis. The light drew low, as the two were joined, flanked by their siblings, and surrounded by family and friends.

Alexandra and Eric are scientists. The officiant’s sermon, and the toasts both made reference to this shared passion. Apparently the two spend much time thinking and talking about the chemistry of pink lakes and cell death among other salient topics.

There were a few exceptionally talented dancers in attendance, which made for a lively, and visually stunning dance floor in the Abbey Room.

Shoutout to Leah Astore for helping out with photos!

and to Bryanne Pepin and the whole crowd at A Catered Affair for doing what they do best.

Photography : Paul Gargagliano / Hazel Photo

Wedding Coordinator : Bryanne Pepin The Catered Affair

Florist : Brattle Florist

Bride’s Dress : Jenny Packham

Bride’s hairpiece : Gigi Burgiss

Groom’s Tuxedo : Prada

Hair : Darren Le

Makeup : Anthony Joseph Beauty

Ceremony Music : Keros Entertainment

DJ : Beat Train Productions

Cheese Wedding Cake : Formaggio

Catering : The Catered Affair

Invitations : Pickett’s Press

Mill Valley Wedding – Lisl Zach

Mill Valley Wedding – Lisl & Zach

If I had to choose just one adjective to describe Lisl & Zach, and the wedding they put together, I would choose the word playful. Just as I arrived, Lisl sent a note from her hotel room over to Zach’s hotel room courtesy of a pair of friend-couriers. Zach read the note with giddy pleasure and sent a response back that made Lisl laugh and laugh.

We had a first look at a Mill Valley’s Bayfront Park, and then continued on to the Mill Valley Community Center for the wedding ceremony.

A “plain parchment” marked with the words “mischief managed” was part of the program for the wedding ceremony. That was not the only reference to Harry Potter. The officiant, a Pastor and close friend, structured her sermon by seamlessly weaving Lisl & Zach’s love story into themes drawn from the Harry Potter novels.

The flower girls shot bubbles from multicolor guns as they walked down the aisle. Adorning the wedding cake were Lego people: a scientist with a laboratory flask, and a gamer with headphones, and a player one t-shirt. I love that photo of the high five the two shared in celebration of the cake cutting.

Golden Gate Club Wedding Presidio San Francisco

Golden Gate Club Wedding San Francisco

Golden Gate Club Wedding San Francisco – Kate & Rishi

Kate & Rishi were married at the Golden Gate Club in San Francisco’s Presidio. The day was a hybrid of Western and Indian wedding traditions. (I also had the pleasure of documenting their sangeet on Friday at the Westin St. Francis.) All day long the legendary San Francisco fog moved quickly overhead letting sunshine through at a few key moments. I was especially grateful for the glow of the sun during the baraat, and just after the ceremony.

For the baraat, Rishi was escorted to the front doors of the Golden Gate Club riding high on the back seat of a sweet vintage Pontiac GTO convertible instead of the traditional horse or elephant. One of my favorites photos of the day is of Rishi and a spray of balloons reflected in the car’s glossy paint.

For the Barat and the ceremony, Kate & Rishi wore western dress: an elegant white dress with lace shoulders; and a sharp royal blue three-piece suit. After the ceremony they changed into Indian dress for the reception. Kate’s scarlet dress was covered in elaborate beadwork.

I love how the surrounding cypress trees made dramatic appearances all day long, whether through the great wall of windows that looks out onto the San Francisco Bay, or with the blue night sky as a backdrop for the night portraits we made.

At the end of the evening, Kate & Rishi’s sweet puppy made an appearance. How could he have known what a momentous occasion he was witnessing.

Special shoutout to the ever gracious and talented Sam Soto-Suver of Bowerbird for his work as a 2nd photographer.

And a special shoutout to Stacy Wicelhaus from They So Loved Events who managed about a zillion moving pieces effortlessly.

Vendors

Venue : Golden Gate Club

Photographer : Hazel Photo

Wedding Attire : Bride’s ceremony dress, Alt Brides
Bride’s reception dress Madsam Tinzin
Groom’s ceremony suit Indochino

Florist : Erica Rose Design

Wedding planner : Stacy Wichelhaus, They So Loved Events

Hair : Skyla Arts

Makeup : Skyla Arts

DJ : DJ Kingh Official Wicked Entertainment

Videographer : Creations by Sam

Cake : Mariposa Baking Company

Catering : Presidio Foods Catering X Amber India

Invitations: Save the dates, programs, and other paper goods by Sasha Head

Sangeet Westin St. Francis Wedding San Francisco

Sangeet Westin St. Francis Wedding San Francisco – Kate & Rishi

Kate & Rishi had their Sangeet at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco’s Union Square neighborhood. (We also photographed their Indian fusion wedding at the Golden Gate Club.)

Special shoutout to the ever gracious and talented Sam Soto-Suver of Bowerbird for his work as a 2nd photographer.

And a special shoutout to Stacy Wicelhaus from They So Loved Events who managed about a zillion moving pieces effortlessly.

Vendors

Venue : Westin St. Francis

Photographer : Hazel Photo

Wedding Attire :
Bride’s Sangeet dress Madsam Tinzin
Groom’s sangeet suit custom made

Florist : Erica Rose Design

Wedding planner : Stacy Wichelhaus, They So Loved Events

DJ : DJ Kingh Official Wicked Entertainment

Videographer : Creations by Sam

Catering : Westin St. Francis X Amber India

Isabella Freedman Wedding Jonah & Rebecca

Rebecca and Jonah had a full wedding weekend at the Isabella Freedman Center in Western Connecticut. The Center is set around a lovely lake. It hosts retreats, and houses a sustainable farm. I was brought in to document festivities on the Sunday. When I arrived, Jonah and Rebecca had already been celebrating for a couple days, and their guests had settled into a palpable comfort and warmth.

I met Rebecca in one of the cabins where a couple of her closest friends were accompanying her as she got ready. She wore a floral crown from Tiny Hearts Farm.

Jonah had his Tisch in the synagogue space, which is almost a greenhouse in the best possible way, just check out that wall of windows. There was much singing and laughing and toasting. One of my favorite moments was when it got so raucous that the table was shaking, and somebody had to secure the refreshments so they didn’t tumble over.

Rebecca had her Tisch in the library, where she signed her half of the Ketubah. Jonah signed his half and they were joined together under the chuppah.

From their Tisch’s the two were lead out onto the lawn to the sounds of a chorus of voices and a few guitars. I love the moment of elation when they turned around and saw each other for the first time on their wedding day.

The day kept unfolding. The Schtick was particularly joyous and funny. Acrobatics, paper airplanes, juggling, reading, dancing, push ups. It had it all.

Bride’s dress : BHLDN

Florist : Tiny Hearts Farm

Wedding planner : Cindy Sanchez-Lark of Detaille

Hair : DIY

Makeup : DIY

DJ : Avi Maza

Catering : Isabella Freedman/Hazon

Invitations : Designed by Alahna Watson (portrait artist and friend)

Thompson Inn & Fuller Gardens Wedding – New Hampshire – Meaghan & Carleton

Meaghan & Carleton were married on the New Hampshire Seacoast at the historic Union Chapel. We made portraits across the street at the gorgeous Fuller Gardens, and down the road looking out over the ocean. It rained hard for a moment while the two were getting ready, and it was still coming down for the first look, but in true New England fashion, the rain cleared up, and we had some lovely sunlight for our portraits.

If you aren’t familiar with the history of Union Chapel, definitely check it out. The first services were held in 1877.

Carleton’s best man’s father officiated the wedding. Also, fun fact, his best man is engaged to Meaghan’s sister, one of the co-maids of honor. One of the most striking things about the wedding was how close knit Meaghan and Carleton’s community is.

After the wedding we headed up to the Thompson Inn for dinner and dancing. I loved the first dance. They looked as happy as could be, and they really cut a rug.

Also making an appearance, in the guest book, a delightful engagement session at Arnold Arboretum form last September.